Keven Mealamu will become the Blues' first ever centurion as he leads his team out onto Eden Park to face the Brumbies in what shapes as a crucial match to the Blues' top four aspirations.
The dynamic All Black hooker has already notched up well over 100 Super Rugby games since making his debut for the Blues against the Brumbies back in 2000, having also appeared 11 times for the Chiefs during his stint there as a draft player in 2002.
But on Friday he will be the first player to reach the remarkable three figure milestone in a Blues jersey after eclipsing Doug Howlett (97) and Carlos Spencer (96) to become the most capped Blues player of all time.
For Blues coach Pat Lam, Mealamu's achievement of reaching 100 games for the franchise is a testament to the extraordinary character his skipper possesses.
"I think it's huge," Lam said.
"The Blues is a team that's special to him, he's born and bred here and he's the leader because he leads by example.
"I think this year he's really grown in his captaincy and his leadership of the team and I'm sure the boys will want to have a good one for him. More importantly I know Kevvie will want to have a big one on this game."
Lam said the key to Mealamu's longevity has been the professional attitude he brings to the game.
"He does the work on and off the field. He does his recovery and he's meticulous In his preparation," said Lam.
"He had a long period out with his (pectoral) injury last year. They predicted six months and I think he came back in four and a half months but that's just Kevvie - it didn't surprise me because he does what he's told."
As always the softly spoken Mealamu is extremely modest about his achievement and preferred to shift the focus to tonight's must-win match.
"It's an exciting time for me and I'm really looking forward to it but I know first things first we've got a big game ahead of us so it's just making sure we get the job done against the Brumbies which we know won't be easy."
Coming off the bye last week, the Blues are currently in tenth spot on the ladder with a game in hand and know they must start to string a couple of wins together if they are to threaten for a position in the top four.
And while the Brumbies are yet to really fire this season, they have still won four of their five games to move into fifth position and will certainly provide a stern challenge for Pat Lam's men.
"They've got some experienced players there in Elsom, Smith, Giteau, Ashley-Cooper and then they've got the younger guys around them so those guys are guiding them around and doing what they have to do to win these games," said Lam.
They're on a good run at the moment so we've certainly got our work cut out this week."
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